Franken Announces Candidacy
Contact: Andy Barr (media@alfranken.com, 612-741-8692)
February 14, 2007
MINNEAPOLIS – Award-winning satirist, best-selling author, and Air America Radio host Al Franken announced today that he would challenge Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) for his U.S. Senate seat in the 2008 election.
Al made the announcement on the final edition of his radio show, “The Al Franken Show,” saying:
I’m gonna run for the United States Senate.
I’m not a professional politician. I know I’m going to make some mistakes. And it’s going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
But I’m going to work hard. I’m going to enjoy being among my friends, my neighbors, and even the people in Minnesota who might not be my fans, yet. And I will never, ever, ever forget how much of a privilege it is to be able to speak with people about the things that matter to me. I’ve had that privilege on this show for three years. And I look forward to having that privilege on the campaign trail and, if I prove worthy of your support, in the Senate.
I want to thank my listeners for extending me this privilege. And before I go, I just want to say. Keep listening. Keep talking. And keep doing. When we band together we can do amazing things. From sending helmet liners to Marines in Iraq to providing health care for people who have no other way of getting it. To changing the nature of our government and the course of our nation.
Al also announced the unveiling of his on-line campaign headquarters, http://www.alfranken.com, where a video message from Al is available for download, as well as audio from his radio announcement, biographical information, and a schedule of events.
In the video message, Al says:
Americans have always been ready to face challenges like the ones we face today, and Minnesotans have always been ready to lead the way. From Hubert Humphrey to Walter Mondale to Paul Wellstone to Amy Klobuchar, this state has a long history of sending strong progressive leaders to Washington. They might not always look and sound like typical politicians, but they stand by their principles and lead by their values.
That's the kind of leader I think we need more of these days, and that's the kind of Senator I'll be.
The campaign will kick off tomorrow (Thursday, February 15) with a tour of the Uptown Clinic in Minneapolis, which provides health care to uninsured Minnesotans. Al is expected to meet with supporters, DFL activists, and members of the labor community around the state in the coming days, including stops in Nashwauk, Duluth, Rochester, Mankato, Moorhead, and Minneapolis.
